Budget 2012: Cameron Defends 'Granny Tax' On School Visit

David Cameron today defended changes to tax allowances for pensioners, insisting that George Osborne's Budget was "fair".

The Prime Minister was forced to justify the freezing of age-related allowances for pensioners - branded a "granny tax" by critics.

Mr Cameron spoke as he visited a school in Bradford, West Yorkshire, to campaign ahead of next week's by-election in the west of the city.

He said: "Every granny in Bradford West, as around the country, is going to be benefiting from the biggest ever increase in the pension that comes in in April - an extra £5.30 a week.

"At the same time the Budget also delivered a tax cut for 24 million people in our country. We have now taken two million of the lowest paid people out of tax altogether so it's a good Budget for our economy and it's a fair Budget for all our people."

The Prime Minister was mobbed by schoolchildren as he strolled through the playground at Kings Science Academy.

His visit, in the warm spring sunshine, was intended to gee up support for Conservative candidate Jackie Whiteley as she prepared to fight seven other candidates in the by-election on March 29.

Mr Cameron said: "It's time for a change in Bradford. This Government is investing in the future of Bradford - £17 million for the city centre regeneration, yesterday, the announcement of the Northern rail hub updating and improving the line between Manchester and Bradford, and of course making sure Bradford has superfast broadband speeds.